Gypsy jazz band Babik will entertain music lovers with a concert at 1:30 p.m. on January 31 in Cutco Theater on JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean.

Hailed as “one of the hottest bands” by the Buffalo News, Babik’s latest musical release mixes a wide range of styles such as jazz fusion, klezmer, world, and Latin music.

“For us, the attraction to this music is probably the same [as] for most of its fans,” says Joshua Assad, Babik’s rhythm guitarist/vocalist. “There is an infectious, happy vibe to it.”

“This music makes people happy. Even the minor key tunes we play have a sense of joyful celebration,” said Assad. “Gypsy jazz has a great groove that you would be hard pressed to avoid tapping your foot to.”

Rehearsals have begun for Of Mice and Men, which will be staged in JCC’s Scharmann Theatre March 12-20.

The cast features several current JCC students: Jason Farrar of Dunkirk, Louis DeCarlo of Gowanda, Stephan Howell and Tony Taylor of Jamestown, Adam Hughes and Megan Lindahl of Lakewood, and Aaron Puvel of Salamanca. Dan Callahan and Skip Anderson will also perform.

Of Mice and Men is a drama, based on John Steinbeck’s novella of the same name, and tells the tragic story of displaced migrant ranch workers, George Milton and his friend Lennie Small, who are drifters looking for work in California during the Great Depression.

Tickets can be obtained through JCC’s box office, 716.338.1187. Additional information can be obtained by visiting http://www.sunyjcc.edu/uncommoners.
 

Lacey Blocker of Randolph, a freshman on JCC’s women’s volleyball team, has been selected as a National Junior College Athletic Association Division III All-American for the 2009 season.

Blocker, who led the Jayhawks with 429 kills, 55 aces, and 63 blocks, was selected for the All Region first team and Division III All Tournament team. She was also named Player of the Year for the Western New York Athletic Conference.

The Jayhawks finished the season with a 15-5 overall record.
 

The Twin Tiers Community Band will perform a concert beginning at 2 p.m. on December 13 in the Cutco Theater on JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean.

The concert, free and open to the public, is sponsored by JCC’s campus program committee.

For additional information, call 716.376.7586.
 

Daniel J. Wallace of Allegany has been appointed to the JCC Foundation board of directors.

Wallace, human resources director at Dresser-Rand Company, earned a bachelor’s degree at Penn State University and a master’s degree at Syracuse University. He is a member of the Regional Community Development Council and Southern Tier Advanced Manufacturing Institute. He is also a member of the Archbishop Walsh Academy board of directors.

The JCC Foundation is a private, non-profit organization formed in 1983 to manage contributions made on behalf of JCC and to allocate the funds to JCC programs or events which are not included in the college's operating expense budget. JCC Foundation funds are used to support scholarships, faculty development, cultural events, the acquisition of instructional resources, and special programs for students, faculty, and the community.

JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus and St. Bonaventure University will offer an opportunity for students and the public to learn about financial aid during a workshop beginning at 6:30 p.m. on January 6 in JCC’s Cutco Theater in Olean.

The workshop is designed for anyone interested in applying for financial aid at any institution.

Students and parents planning to apply for financial aid for the 2010-2011 academic year are encouraged to attend. General financial aid topics will be covered, including an overview of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

For more information, contact JCC at 716.376.7512 or St. Bonaventure at 716.375.2528.
 

JCC's choir, concert band, and jazz and rock ensembles will showcase a variety of music styles during upcoming winter concerts in Scharmann Theatre.

Admission to each concert is $4, general public; $3, area students and senior citizens; and $2, JCC Faculty Student Association members. Tickets can be purchased by calling the JCC box office, 716.338.1187, or at the theatre door prior to performances.
JCC’s choir, concert band, vocal jazz ensemble, jazz ensemble big band, and concert band perform on December 8 at 7:30 p.m.

The choir, directed by Brian A. Bogey, will perform a Ray Charles arrangement of “Jingle Bells,” the spiritual, “Hurry, Hurry Yonder,” and “Gloria In Excelsis Deo” by Maurice Whitney.

Songs from the popular genre include “Breath of Breath of Heaven” by Amy Grant and Lloyd Larson and the Blood Sweat and Tears classic, “Spinning Wheel.”

The JCC Uncommoners will hold auditions from 7 to 9 p.m. on December 2 and 3 for Of Mice and Men. The open casting call will be held in Scharmann Theatre on JCC’s Jamestown Campus.

Of Mice and Men will be performed on March 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, and 20.

Male actors for the two lead roles, the boss, and several ranch hands are needed. The play also includes a role for one female. A well-behaved, older dog is needed for the show as well. For further information concerning the auditions, contact JCC theatre director Robert Schlick at 716.338.1153.

Of Mice and Men a drama, based on John Steinbeck’s novella of the same name, tells the tragic story of displaced migrant ranch workers, George Milton and his friend Lennie Small, who are drifters looking for work in California during the Great Depression.

Several JCC faculty members were promoted at the start of the 2009-10 academic year.

Shannon Bessette, David Jeffery, Heather Panczykowski, and Sarah Tranum were promoted to associate professor. Marilyn Gerace, Cindy Hinz, and Tammy Smith were promoted to assistant professor.

Ms. Bessette, who teaches anthropology on the Jamestown Campus, earned a bachelor’s degree at Cornell University and a master’s degree at the University of Oklahoma. She joined JCC’s faculty in 2000.

Ms. Gerace teaches criminal justice on the Cattaraugus County Campus. She earned an associate’s degree at JCC, a bachelor’s degree at the State University of New York at Fredonia, and a master’s degree in criminal justice at Buffalo State College. She began teaching criminal justice and political science courses at JCC as an adjunct instructor in 2000.

Dan Thomas graduated from JCC last May with an Associate in Applied Science degree in welding technology. He returned to JCC’s Manufacturing Technology Institute this fall to tell current students about how he has furthered his education to take his welding skills to a new location – underwater.

“I've enjoyed the water since grade school and was on the swim team for seven years,” said Thomas, a 2006 graduate of Chautauqua Lake Central School. “So even before I had graduated from JCC I was already researching careers in underwater welding and commercial diving in general.”

JCC has signed new and updated articulation agreements with several colleges to facilitate the transfer of JCC graduates into bachelor’s degree programs.

The agreements stipulate coursework, academic credits, and grade point average (GPA) expectations required of JCC students planning to transfer.

JCC students who graduate with an Associate in Science (A.S.) degree can transfer into SUNY at Brockport’s biological sciences major. Concentrations in biotechnology as well as pre-health professional studies, which include medicine, dentistry, veterinary, and health careers are encouraged in the transfer agreement.

Gregory Rabb, associate professor of political science at JCC, was a presenter at a recent conference focusing on experiential approaches to understanding the causes of war and efforts to bring about global peace.

Held in September at Whittier College in California and co-sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace and the University of Southern California, the conference drew together high school and community college educators involved in courses that explore diplomacy and international negotiation.

Presentations by Rabb and George Latio, a former Sudanese child soldier who is now a student at Ohio University, were sponsored by USIP. USIP was established to help prevent, manage, and resolve violent conflicts through knowledge, skills, and resources dedicated to peace building.

CareerPath, JCC's web-based career exploration program, was featured recently in the “Campus Career Counselor” newsletter.

“Campus Career Counselor” is the only national publication geared specifically and exclusively to college and university career services professionals.

Introduced in October 2007, CareerPath, which is located at www.sunyjcc.edu, provides detailed information on preparing for over 100 of the most popular careers.
Information available at CareerPath for each career includes a general description of the career, including common tasks; required education, training, and certification; employment outlook through 2014 as projected by the United States Department of Labor; income potential; and professional organizations associated with the career.

CareerPath also provides links to JCC’s academic programs and transfer articulation agreements.
 

Jean (John) Sayegh of Allegany has been appointed vice president/dean of the Cattaraugus County Campus, continuing education, and external partnerships.

“We are pleased to welcome someone with John’s breadth and depth of experience to the college,” said JCC President Gregory T. DeCinque. “As someone familiar with the Southern Tier, he possesses a keen understanding of how higher education can respond to the needs of our service area and has a solid track record of accomplishments through his work with Cattaraugus County, the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce, and the city of Olean.”

In addition to having daily oversight responsibilities for the Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean, Sayegh will have college-wide duties that include overseeing non-credit instruction and programming.

The TRI to Find a Cure indoor triathlon, sponsored by JCC’s Total Fitness program and cheerleading team, will be held in the Physical Education Complex on the Jamestown Campus on November 21.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Center for Imaging at WCA Hospital, which has been designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

“Indoor triathlons are a great way to start before trying the race outside,” said Diane Ringer, JCC’s cheerleading coach and an organizer of the November 21 event. “For experienced triathletes, it can be an easy way to cross train or to stay motivated during the winter months. The benefit of indoor triathlons is that it connects people to the sport in a controlled environment.”

The registration deadline is November 18. For more information or to register, contact Ms. Ringer at 716.792.9930 or Diane_Ringer@msn.com.

Flags from several countries have been donated to JCC to enhance its collection of international flags.

The donation, made by Henry and Elizabeth Geisler of Jamestown, includes flags given to them by foreign exchange students from Bolivia, Japan, Brazil, Chile, and Denmark and visitors from Israel and Italy. Flags from Australia and Sweden, obtained by the couple’s sons who participated in study abroad programs, were included in the donation.

JCC’s flag collection, which will be displayed in Hultquist Library, also received South Korean, Chinese, British, and Russian flags, representing international students who were enrolled at JCC last year, from JCC’s Student Senate.

Five of JCC’s newest alumni represented the college at a higher education recruitment fair held in late September in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, in the People's Republic of China.

Representing JCC were Pengfei Du “Clark,” Yuxin Qin “Destiny,” Yongyi Yang “Young,” Quingying Yi “Julia, and Lei Wang “Stein,” all of whom earned certificates in individual studies from JCC last May as participants in SUNY's China 150 Program.

The recruitment fair was coordinated by the Institute of International Education (IIE) of which JCC is a member. According to the IIE's "Open Doors" report, 81,127 students from China studied in the United States during the 2007-08 academic year (up 19.8% from the previous year). China is the second-leading place of origin for students coming to the United States, following India (94,563).

Mitchell Paterniti, Falconer High School and College Connections biology instructor, was awarded the Teacher-of-the-Year award at the program’s annual fall training at JCC.

Paterniti offers four JCC biology courses to his Falconer students and was nominated by his JCC faculty liaison, Jan Bowman.

“Mitch’s strength as a teacher largely sits with his enthusiasm, which is definitely contagious, and his love of sharing his awe of the natural world,” explained Ms. Bowman.

JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus and the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (UPB) will co-sponsor the annual mathematics competition for local high school students from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on November 20 in JCC’s Cutco Theater.

Teams of up to 10 students, chosen by high school advisors, complete tests in multiple choice formats covering algebra, geometry, and problem solving from high school level curriculum. Trophies are awarded to the top four teams and individual scorers. Students can also receive JCC and UPB scholarships.

The $5 registration fee includes lunch. The contest is open to the first 100 registrants. Advisors or students wanting to register or obtain additional information on the contest should contact organizers JCC mathematics coordinator Sharyn Zias at 716.376.7576 or mathematics instructor Dan Rabb at 716.376.7585.
 

Triumphant Swing Band, a 17-piece big band, will perform at 8 p.m. on November 14 in the Cutco Theater on JCC’s Cattaraugus County Campus in Olean.

The concert, free and open to the public, is sponsored by JCC’s campus program committee.

The band, whose motto is “gospel with a swing,” plays church melodies in a jazz style throughout the Southern Tier. The group is directed by band member and arranger Roy Mitchell.

For more information contact Mike Marvin at 716.376.7586 or mikemarvin@mail.sunyjcc.edu.
 

JCC signed transfer agreements with D’Youville College and Hilbert College recently.

The agreements with D’Youville are designed for JCC students who plan to transfer to D’Youville in global studies, history, philosophy, psychology, or sociology.

D’Youville normally accepts no more than 65 credits in transfer from a two-year college. However, under the terms of these agreements, JCC students can transfer up to 79 credits toward requirements for a bachelor’s degree in philosophy or psychology, and up to 90 credits toward a bachelor’s degree in global studies, history, or sociology.

College Connections, JCC’s concurrent enrollment program with regional high schools, has been awarded national accreditation by National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).

“In earning this special status, JCC joins an elite group of colleges which have met the highest standards of rigor on a variety of important characteristics associated with their dual enrollment programs,” stated Marilyn Zagora, JCC’s vice president and dean of academic affairs.

The Antique Appraisal Fair & Marketplace, sponsored by the Greater Olean Area Chamber of Commerce (GOACC) and the JCC Cattaraugus County Campus Alumni Association, will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on October 23 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on October 24 in JCC’s Cutco Theater in Olean.

An expert appraisal team, led by Greg Carter, owner of United Auctions and Antiques, will offer information on jewelry, coins, watches, furniture, paintings and prints, china, books, quilts, glassware and pottery, vintage clothing, and more.

Participants should bring portable items for appraisal and are encouraged to supply related handwritten or typed identifying information about their collectible. For large furniture, a drawer and/or photographs are acceptable. If you are seeking information about firearms or weapons of any kind, please bring only photographs.

Cutco Corporate College, a continuing education program for Cutco Corporation employees, will receive the Community Partner Award during the JCC Foundation’s annual dinner on October 29.

The dinner, which will be held at Premier Banquet Center in Olean, will also honor Jim Stitt, president, chief executive officer, and chairman of Cutco Corporation, as the recipient of the John D. Hamilton Award, presented by the foundation for exemplary service to JCC.

For information on the dinner, contact the JCC Foundation office at 716.376.7513 or foundation@mail.sunyjcc.edu.

The Community Partner Award recognizes the vital role of organizations that work collaboratively with JCC to provide educational, social, cultural, and civic enrichment of the area.

Explore JCC, an open house for high school seniors and their families, will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on October 12 and from 2 to 4 p.m. on November 22 on the Jamestown Campus and from 10 a.m. to noon on November 22 on the Cattaraugus County Campus.

The programs provides college-bound students with an opportunity to learn more about the JCC’s programs and services.

Visitors can explore degree and certificate programs, meet faculty and staff, learn about student services, and get information about transferability of JCC credits.
Personal assistance with completing the college’s online admissions application will be provided and college representatives will outline financial aid opportunities.

For additional information, call the JCC admissions office, 800/388-8557, or visit www.sunyjcc.edu/explorejcc.